Betty Ruth Krause

Betty Ruth (Brunais) Krause, 97, of Benona Township, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, March 13, 2022. She was born July 2, 1924, at her home in Bear Lake, to Chester Brunais and Lillias Myers. She was the eldest of 10 children.  

The family moved to the farm in New Era when she was 15 years old. They didn’t have any indoor plumbing and hauled water from the spring up into the house and used the outhouse for the first years there. She graduated from Shelby High School in 1942. Betty Ruth was known for her artistic abilities and she illustrated her high school year book.

Betty Ruth married (eloped) Berl William Krause Sr., on July 5, 1942, in South Bend, Indiana. They were married for 42 years until Berl’s passing in 1984. They raised 10 children on the 40-acre farm in Benona Township.

Betty Ruth was an accomplished artist, watercolor, pencil and ink, and a member of the American Watercolor Society and Muskegon Museum of Art. She taught sewing and art in 4-H, was a Sunday school teacher, Mary Kay Consultant, Home Health Provider, as well as a wife, mother, homemaker, poet, and a master baker. She loved to read, write letters, paint, and spend time with her children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends.

Betty Ruth loved the Lord God with all her heart, accepting him as her Savior at a young age. She served him faithfully, raised her children to know and trust God, and was an example of God’s love for us in the way she loved her family and friends. She wanted everyone to know and love God and she was always quick to say “God Loves You or Lord Bless.” She was a long-time member of Stony Lake Trinity Lutheran Church-Bradyville and New Era Bible Church where she served for over 40 years.

Betty Ruth was also quite well traveled. She lived in Germany for 1 ½ years and traveled abroad during that time visiting many countries in Europe. Betty Ruth also lived in Japan for 3 months and traveled extensively across the U.S.

Betty Ruth was an amazing woman, friend, and mom. She is deeply loved and deeply missed. Proverbs 31:28; Her children rise up and call her blessed.

Betty Ruth is survived by: her children, Ruth Ann Simmons, Linda Sniff-Robles, Dale (Esthela) Krause Sr., Ted Krause, Jeanne (Steven) Simmons, Virginia Boersen, Julia Williams, and Mark Krause; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; brothers, David (Carol) Brunais and Robert (Sue) Brunais; and sisters, Lillias Jancek and Annette (Ken) Blake.

Betty Ruth was preceded in death by: her loving husband, Berl Krause Sr.; sons, Berl Krause Jr. and Peter Jon Krause; daughter, Fern VandeVusse Smith; brothers, Chester Brunais, Ellsworth Brunais, Glen Brunais, and Herbert Brunais; and sister, Marilouise Haines.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Harris Funeral Home, 267 North Michigan Avenue, Shelby, MI 49420. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 24, 2022, at New Era Bible Church, 5308 South Oceana Drive, New Era, MI 49446, with Pastor Mike Deblois officiating. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Interment will be 11 AM, Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Oakhurst Cemetery, Peterson Road, Whitehall, Michigan 49461.

The Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is handling arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com

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